Growing Pains For Houston Astros Pitcher Bud Norris

I really think Bud Norris can become an effective starter in the Houston Astros' starting rotation.

He just has growing pains to overcome.

Courtesy of a 7-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Norris is now 3-2 on the season. He lasted just one inning, giving up six hits and six runs, walking three, and striking out one hitter. He yielded no home runs and now has an ERA of 5.86.

The loss stings, because it now puts the Diamondbacks at 55-70 on the season. Houston is now at 61-63. Norris, we recall, shut down the mighty St. Louis Cardinals in his first major league start.

What's the problem?

Maybe Norris is starting to get more exposed to National League hitting and is seeing that location will need to complement his fastball and other pitches.

I really hope he develops and becomes the starter that Houston so desperately needs. Houston's not the youngest team, and I keep worrying Drayton McLane will trade Roy Oswalt or Wandy Rodriguez in the off-season and get a giant sack of pus players in return.